GAINESVILLE — Calling it "Christianity 101," churches throughout the Florida Conference are using the 15-lesson Alpha Course to revitalize members’ faith and reach new people in their communities.

"The Alpha Course is a basic course in Christianity over a 10-week period of time," said Camille Robinson, director of nurture and care at Trinity United Methodist Church here. "It was developed for unchurched people, but we’ve found that Alpha’s for everyone."

Since the course was introduced at Trinity last fall, more than 200 people have participated, according to Robinson. Many continue to meet with the small groups they formed during the course. Others have sought out additional courses to deepen their faith. Of the 115 people currently enrolled in Trinity’s Disciple Bible study classes, 51 are Alpha graduates.

Robinson said she has seen a dramatic change in the lives of both long-time church members and seekers.

"It’s exciting to see people’s faith become a meaningful component in their lives," she said. "It starts them on a spiritual quest, and they want to further their faith."

The Rev. Brian Fowler, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Fort Myers, said he used the course at First United Methodist Church Apalachicola, and it was "simply a wonderful blessing."

Approximately 40 people participated and developed "a deeper walk with Christ," Fowler said, adding one man, who had grown up in another religion that is suspicious of orthodox Christianity, "became discipled and developed a strong relationship with Jesus Christ."

The Alpha Course began at Holy Trinity Brompton Anglican church in London, England, as "a means of presenting the basic principles of the Christian faith to new Christians in a relaxed and informal setting," according to the Alpha Course Web site.

Participants attend 10 weekly meals and a weekend retreat. The meals, according to Robinson, are a "safe environment for people to get to know each other." Participants sit together at tables of 10-12 and are grouped according to age. Each table has a leader and helper who are trained to facilitate conversation.

Religion and theology are not discussed during the meal, but a presentation on the week’s topic is featured afterward. The topics "address a lot of the questions of life," Robinson said, including who Jesus is; why and how people should read the Bible, pray, and tell others about their faith; how God guides people; and others.

Participants discuss the presentation and ask questions. "No one is ridiculed or made to feel stupid," Robinson said. "There’s safety for people who are really trying to discover God in their own lives."

Late in the course, participants attend an overnight retreat, called the Holy Spirit weekend. They participate in four discussions about the nature and work of the Holy Spirit and how to make the most of their lives.

"Many people have renewed their faith or come to Christ during the retreats," Robinson said. "It is a very meaningful time."

The last meeting is a "roll-over" meeting. Participants invite friends and family members they think might be interested in the course.

The Rev. Dan Johnson, Trinity’s pastor, said he frequently invites Alpha graduates to share stories during Sunday worship of how their lives have changed as a result of the deeper relationship they formed with Jesus Christ through the course. "I used to struggle to find people to share," he said. "Now, I have to pace them."